Cajamarca

Peru

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Cajamarca Travel Information

The Basics

Time

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz (Arequipa 50Hz). Two-pronged plugs with flat blades as well as plugs with two round prongs are in use.

Language

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages, but many other dialects are spoken. English is spoken only in major tourist centres and hotels.

Travel Health

There are several health issues to consider for travel to Peru.
Those entering the country from an infected area require a yellow
fever certificate, and outbreaks of yellow fever do occur;
vaccination is recommended but is not necessary for Lima, Cuzco or
Machu Picchu. No other vaccinations are officially required but
visitors are advised to take precautions, especially if planning to
travel to jungle regions. Immunisation against typhoid is sensible.
Malaria is a risk all year round in the lowland areas, except for
Lima and the coastal regions to the south, and dengue fever is on
the increase. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are
recommended. There have been a number of incidents of rabies
transmitted by bites from vampire bats in the Madre de Dios and
Puno provinces, and near the border with Ecuador; visitors are
advised to have a course of rabies injections and not to sleep in
the open. Chagas' disease, cholera and cases of the plague do
occur. The most common ailments for travellers are diarrhoea and
altitude sickness. Drink only bottled water, avoid drinks with ice,
and be wary of food bought from street vendors. Health care is good
in the major cities (better at private clinics than at public
hospitals) but is expensive; health insurance is essential.
Screening for HIV is inadequate and visitors should avoid blood
transfusions.

Tipping

Some restaurants add a service charge of between 5 percent and
10 percent, which will be indicated by the words propina or servicio near the bottom of
the bill. Even if a service charge has been added the waiter can be
offered an additional 10 percent for exceptional service; this is
also the going rate for tipping where a service charge has not been
added. In hotels porters expect about US$0.50 per bag. Taxi drivers
are not tipped (the fare should be set before departure). Tour
guides are customarily tipped.

Safety Information

Safety in Peru is improving. Thieves are the biggest problem; be
especially cautious in crowded areas, on public transport, in bus
and train stations, and in the centre of Lima at night. Special
care should be taken in the cities of Lima and Cuzco against street
and violent crime. There have been attacks on foreigners trekking
in the Huayhuash region near Huaraz and trekkers should be cautious
and seek advice before setting out. Thieves and muggers also
operate in Huaraz and Arequipa. Women should take particular care
to only take taxis that have been pre-booked by a hotel or official
company, and travellers arriving at Lima International Airport
should be wary of thieves posing as taxi drivers or tour operators.
There has been an increase in the number of crimes associated with
taxis in the main cities. Visitors should avoid all political
gatherings and demonstrations as these have the potential for
violence.

Local Customs

Do not take photographs of anything to do with the military.
Homosexuality, although legal, is frowned upon. Visitors should
avoid wearing any native Indian clothing as this will be seen as
insulting, regardless of intention.

Business

Business in Peru centres on the capital, Lima. Business is
usually conducted in a formal and somewhat conservative manner, and
it is worth noting that a business visa is needed from a local
Peruvian Consulate. Dress should be formal, with suits and ties the
norm. Titles and surnames are usually used upon greeting, and
handshakes are standard for men and women. Business cards are
usually exchanged and it is useful to have them printed in Spanish
on one side. Although English is fairly common, it will be an
advantage to have business materials translated into Spanish; an
effort to speak Spanish will be well received. Women may encounter
some sexism. Punctuality is important, although meetings are not
likely to begin on time. Business hours can vary but are usually
from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Some businesses can close for
siesta from 1pm to 3pm.

Communications

The international access code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing
code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for
the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1) for Lima. Mobile
phone operators offer GSM networks with coverage limited to major
towns and cities; there are roaming agreements with most
international operaters. Peru is well connected to the internet
with a proliferation of inexpensive internet kiosks, called
cabinas pública, available on street corners in
most towns and cities.

Duty Free

Travellers to Peru over 15 years old do not have to pay duty on
400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 50g of tobacco; 2kg of food; 3 bottles
of alcoholic beverages not exceeding 2.5 litres; and gifts to the
value of US$300. Items such as sausages, salami, ham and cheese may
only be brought in if accompanied by an original sanitary
certificate. The import of ham from Italy and Portugal is
prohibited. The export of cultural or artistic items from the
country is not permitted.

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